Science, Technology, and Society MSc

This programme is custom-built for two sorts of students: (1) those seeking advanced training in the field in preparation for further work, such as PhD research, and (2) those seeking skill development and professional qualification.

All modules are designed for efficient use of your time. Each is structured around 20 classroom hours (normally 2 hours per week over a 10-week teaching term). Assessment varies between modules. Some ask for one 5,000 word essay. Others ask for combinations of shorter writing, or they develop different types of projects. A full-time student's week typically involves 4x2-hour seminars, independent study, research and writing time, plus participation in the busy social and intellectual life of London's largest STS/HPS department.

Many STS options

This includes modules in science policy and governance, science communication and engagement, and sociology of science. Some modules survey the discipline. Others are research-led, using our expertise to develop your skills at the cutting edge.

Our catalogue of STS modules includes:

Science in the Twentieth Century and Beyond

STS Perspectives on Security and War

Sociology of Science and Technology

Curating Science and Technology

Science, Media, and Culture

Practical Science Communication and Engagement

Social Justice, Identity, and Science

Responsible Science and Innovation

Special Topics Seminar in Science, Technology, and Society

Also, because some of the HPS options we offer may equally be useful for STS students, we will consider substitutions that create a coherent programme of study. We want to be flexible, and we know ours is a broad and interdisciplinary field.

Not every STS module is taught every year, and these titles are subject to change. They do provide a sense of the depth and breadth on offer in the degree.

More electives

Students select two elective modules from within our department or across UCL.

UCL has Masters-level modules in many, many fields. We've built our programme with flexibility so you can explore in directions you choose. If you want, you can focus in the department on STS and HPS, selecting other modules within our programme. If you seek complementary topics, we can guide you to the right choices.

Dissertation

Students undertake a research project of their own design, completing a 10,000 word dissertation from the research project. They work under the supervision of our academic staff.

Part-time option

Full-time students complete the degree in one year. Part-time student complete the degree in two years, normally following this plan:

Year 1-HPSCGA01 plus one other module in Term 1-two or three modules in Term 2-preliminary work on the Dissertation

Year 2-any remaining modules-Dissertation

Other options

Post-Graduate Diploma (PG Dip) follows the same structure as the degree, without the research project.